“In The Mesquite” New Clue Revealed: “A Reader” Discovers the Killer’s Taunting “Purloined Letter Clue” Lying in Plain Site
December 16, 2023
Birch Bay, Washington
Have decided by way of a “thank you” to all my loyal readers (consider it an early Xmas present, which I will unwrap for you today) have decided to publish the “new clue” here on the website. For those who have already purchased the print or e-book, here it is.
In the comments section of the original 2019 blog announcing the publication of In The Mesquite “A Reader” wrote:
“I just read the book and have been reading through comments on the blog but I haven’t seen this anywhere: am I the only one who sees the letters “G” and “H” in the positioning of the victims’ arms?”
My answer to “A Reader”- Yes, you were the only one to see this and it is a huge “clew” and thoughtprint. Thank You, Thank you for this additional linkage to G.H.-George Hodel. As in his later killings, the egomaniacal G.H. just could not resist leaving a clue, a thoughtprint to his name at the crime scene.
Graphic by author
Great observation!
If it was any other suspect, it’d seem somewhat random, even though they are posed. But this is SO George Hodel, after all we’ve learned about the man. Diabolical.
Brian W:
Exactly SO. His Ego is his ultimate downfall as we have seen time and time again.
Wow! If that isn’t GHH! Can just imagine the gleeful enjoyment he had in positioning this innocent mother & daughter. This is a bold statement to all involved in criminal behaviors from LE to MD’s. The mental health of our children has always been, still is, at the whim of parents/family who pursue “the good life” which (IMO) is so much a FACADE. America wake up! J
Steve, the winter solstice is coming! Our HEALING CIRCLE sends you a powerful centering, cleansing breath and robust positive VIBRATIONS for ancestral HEALING. Ancestral healing connects us to our forefathers and foremothers, tying together the lines of generations before. We are links to the past and the FUTURE!
Peace always!
Yolie 💎
Steve
On this Christmas Eve🎄 our HEALING CIRCLE sends a centering, cleansing breath and powerful VIBRATIONS for ancestral healing. Ancestral healing connects us to our forefathers and foremothers in a long chain, united in healing the wounds of the past.
Peace always!
Yolie 💎
Steve
On this New Year’s EVE our HEALING CIRCLE sends a deep, cleansing, centering breath and powerful VIBRATIONS for ancestral healing. Ancestral Healing connects us to our forefathers and foremothers in a chain that links us to the past and the future. Connecting to our ancestors offers healing for them and for us!
Peace now and always
Yolie 💎
Layer, upon layer, upon layer. George’s ego wouldn’t or couldn’t let him leave any crime scene without signing his “work.” Thanks again to observant readers for their contribution to your continuing work, Steve. It continues to amaze!
If the deed was meant to be seen as “arty” perhaps the bitten arm was intended as a reminder of the painting Saturn Devouring his Son by Goya?
After everything we’ve learned about GHH, this is entirely believable.
Wow, that’s amazing!
Kelvin H:
Yep. Between our Dear Old Dad’s day job and nighttime killings no wonder, he didn’t have time to “play catch” during our Franklin House years. Setting aside mom’s struggles with alcohol (totally understandable now) so glad she was able to keep us together most of the time during those years. Happy Holidays Bro.
Is it simplistic to think that the arms in the sewer, in the Degnan case, were meant as two L-letters (symbolizing perfect crime for somebody who knew about the Leopold & Loeb case)?
Joakim: I think that might be a bit of a stretch. But, we do have him posing the body parts off “Hollywood Ave” to go along with his later street sign posings. Re. Leopold and Loeb we do have him doing a “copycat” murder just weeks after that sensational crime as presented in The Early Years books.
I think the victim Bobby Franks was found in a drainage pipe. Not exactly a sewer, but…
Just read In the Mesquite. One thing that struck me was that both Liz Short and the Fromes were seemingly in fear for their personal safety right before being killed. Very interesting. It would be so GHH to taunt his victims leading up to the crime.
Ana:
Yes, and more. They received a package wrapped in brown paper left at the desk for them. They opened it in their room and then became terrified and checked out immediately. We recall the killer of the little Suzanne Degnan girl in January 1946 sent a package to her parents which they opened and found it contained A HUMAN EAR. Makes us wonder what was in the Fromes package eight years earlier?